electronics-journal.com
21
'22
Written on Modified on
Electro Rent
Effective asset location and management with Electro Rent’s IoT tracker
Retain control of field-based test and measurement assets, the easy way.
Electronic test equipment specialist Electro Rent has launched its high-performance, easy-to-use IoT tracker, helping businesses track test and measurement assets across their field services. The new device is ideal for any company that currently finds itself spending too much time and money trying to find misplaced or stolen assets.
Part of Electro Rent’s asset optimisation services, the tracker monitors the locations of assets and communicates back to Electro Rent’s market-leading LEO asset optimisation software (powered by Oracle Cloud). Users can see the real-time localisation of their T&M assets from anywhere in the world. The service, which uses state-of-the-art IoT technology, is available now to all Electro Rent customers, with a growing number of telecoms operators/subcontractors, power installers and industrial subcontractors among the early adopters.
Notably, integrated device communication facilitates data transmission over the phone network. Electro Rent’s IoT tracker quickly reads the location of any lost or stolen assets via three different methods, selecting the best approach based on the user’s location. The device reads the location of test and measurement assets by using: GPS satellites with 5 to 10m accuracy; the location associated with any nearby Wi-Fi HubSpot or Wi-Fi router with 5 to 20m accuracy; or the mobile phone network within 100m accuracy."
Thanks to an integral accelerometer, a trigger alarm feature on the IoT tracker allows easy monitoring following any movement events. Users can view and track asset movement trails on a map with their cloud-based LEO online account. The technology also permits users to zero-in on assets with filters by depot, category, model and date.
Aside from asset location and tracking, Electro Rent’s IoT tracker provides many additional benefits, not least the potential to optimise the valuable time of field service engineers. Furthermore, businesses can use the device to identify both in-demand and underused assets, improving utilisation or prompting investment/disposal opportunities at the right time. It can also assist in insurance claims when assets are lost.
The IoT data is accessible via our software as a service (SaaS) from anywhere in the world via the user’s cloud-based LEO online account. There is no requirement for local software installation, or for readers in depots or vans. The SaaS embeds the latest OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) cybersecurity standards via a web browser, removing the need for internal integration or IT costs.
This ultra-portable, compact device has a dimensional envelope of just 79 x 79 x 26mm and features a rugged, IP67-rated design to withstand harsh working environments. Various power options are offered including 3xAA alkaline batteries, Li rechargeable battery offering up to four years of service between charges or Li rechargeable battery with optional solar panel for potentially unlimited battery life.
As a final point, there are no hidden costs whatsoever: the price includes hosting and global data roaming. Electro Rent’s bespoke ERP integration service with internal IT systems is available on request.
For more information, visit www.electrorent.com